Federal File

New math

Just how many federal education programs are there?

In Washington, estimates range from
fewer than 200 to nearly 800, depending on which party does the
figuring. And nailing down the number has become one of the hottest
education debates in the 105th Congress.

The squabble began in January, when Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Mich.,
announced that his subcommittee had completed a two-year investigation
and found more than 760 federal education programs across 40 agencies.
The subcommittee counted everything labeled as an "education program"
in the Office of Management and Budget's Catalogue of Federal and
Domestic Assistance.

Mr. Hoekstra recently said he was appalled that only 38 percent of
the programs were run by the Department of Education. He announced that
he wanted to "peel back the layers" and examine each program to ensure
it is worthy of every federal dollar it receives.

But then Democrats pointed out that many of the programs targeted
have nothing to do with elementary or secondary education. Also, many
have not been funded for years, they said.

"This is recycled misinformation," said Education Department
spokesman Rick Miller, who added that the document contains programs
such as cancer research and air-traffic-control training. "To lump
those in with everything else is misleading," he said. The department
maintains there are fewer than 200 currently funded schools
programs.

Mr. Hoekstra defended the list and said his point was simply to try
to eliminate bureaucracy. The programs are "still on the books," even
if they are no longer funded, he added. In his most recent count
earlier this month, he cited 788 programs.

Gingrich goals

Now that he has a balanced budget agreement, House Speaker Newt
Gingrich says he has three goals: To improve education, eradicate
illegal drugs, and reduce out-of-wedlock pregnancies.

After a recent speech to a group of religious broadcasters, Mr.
Gingrich told reporters that schools must make up for the societal
problems children face at home, adding that "good teachers are
missionaries."

Apparently, though, there aren't enough missionaries in the schools
now, in Mr. Gingrich's view. If the public education system were a
private-sector employer, the board of directors would "close the
institution and try to lock up the CEO," he said.